You smile warmly at her.

“No, no I’m fine thanks.” still following your train of thought. But then after she gives a warm smile and starts to walk away, you change your mind and call her back over.

“So…um…this is actually my first time here. Well, it’s my first time here at all. Is it your first day here?”

You are unsure if she is a friend to you in this moment but you ask “do you get what I’m saying?”

“Um no it’s not my first day here. I work here, and I see all of these faces a lot” she smiles with warm recollection, “but I haven’t seen yours.” As she says this a realization dawns on her face. “Come with me” she says, and maybe it’s the warmth in her eyes, or lack of options, but you trust her, and follow her to the back room of the diner.

Here, amongst the shelves of produce, she turns to face you.

“A man once came by, weeks ago, saying a similar thing. That he was new here, and din’t know where he was, something about clicking a button on a portfolio”

She could see the enthusiasm in your eyes and you cut in.

“yes! that’s what happened to me! And I found some scrolls. Are they his?”

She sighs with pity in her eyes. “ I don’t know, I don’t know what’s happened to you both. Sorry I wish I could help more but I- I’ve been here all my life…But, What I do know is that he told me if anyone ever comes, looking for a way out, that I should send them over to you.”

(maybe, other diner guest doesn’t help, this is more hope.)

She ducks behind one of the tall shelves and pulls something out from behind the corner.